Day cream, night cream – selection according to the skin type
Cream is one of the basic cosmetics used in daily care. A well-selected cream moisturizes the skin and, depending on its composition, firms and smoothes the skin, activates regenerative processes and provides essential nutrients. Even if we choose the optimal cosmetic, we cannot rely on one cream 24/7. Our cosmetic bag should include a day cream and a night cream matched to our skin type.
What is the difference between day cream and night cream?
The distinction between day and night cream is not a whim or an invention of the producers. You should use two different creams for one basic reason. The skin is exposed to different factors during the day and night, has different needs and functions differently. During the day, even on a seemingly cloudy day, the skin is exposed to the harmful effects of UV rays. For this reason, a good day cream, in addition to its moisturizing and slightly mattifying properties, should also protect against UVB and UVA radiation. At the same time, it should have a light, delicate formula so as not to leave a greasy film on the skin. In turn, night is the time for regeneration of the entire body, including our skin. Therefore, in the evening you should apply a slightly oilier cosmetic with a thicker consistency and a high content of nutrients to your face.
Cream selection and skin type
Moreover, if we want the cream to work well and not cause any harm, it should be matched to the skin type. For women who have so far used universal cosmetics without wondering what type of skin they have or who have problems determining its type, we remind you of the most important properties of dry, oily, combination or normal skin and the recommended care for a given skin type.
Dry Skin
Dry skin is characterized by:
– thin, delicate skin through which even blood vessels can be visible,
– matte skin, which may even be rough and peeling in places,
– high sensitivity and tendency to develop micro-injuries,
– tendency for wrinkles to appear relatively quickly.
Immediately after washing, owners of dry skin may experience burning and itching - relief is provided only by applying the cream. The basis of dry skin care is primarily a moisturizing cream that protects against water loss. For this reason, you should choose cosmetics that moisturize and oil the skin. It is best if they have the ability to bind and retain water in the epidermis and help rebuild the hydrolipid coat. When reviewing the composition of a cosmetic, it is worth paying attention to ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, algae, vitamins A, C and E, ceramides, Shea butter, vegetable oils and unsaturated fatty acids. Day cream should moisturize the skin and protect it against the harmful effects of sunlight (SPF 15 is the minimum for dry skin). In turn, the night cream should have moisturizing, regenerative and nourishing properties.
Oily skin
Properties characteristic of oily skin are:
– thick, sallow skin that appears gray or dirty,
– increased sebum production, especially in the so-called T zone (nose, forehead, chin),
– enlarged pores, tendency to develop blackheads, pimples and purulent lesions.
Oily skin is problematic and difficult to care for. Some compensation for these problems is the relatively late appearance of wrinkles. The selected cream should, first of all, gently moisturize the skin and normalize its hydrolipid balance. It should have a light, delicate formula so as not to clog pores. It is good that it also has mattifying properties and absorbs excess sebum. The selected day cream must have UV filters, because the sun's rays additionally stimulate the production of sebum. In turn, the night cream should nourish the skin and regulate sebum secretion. During night regeneration, we can also gently exfoliate the epidermis. Then you should look for creams with the addition of acids, e.g. glycolic, salicylic or lactic.
Combination skin
Combination skin is characterized by the fact that it combines the properties of dry skin and oily skin. Most often, it is oily around the already mentioned T zone, i.e. on the forehead, nose and chin, and dry or normal on the cheeks and temples.
When caring for this type of skin, it is best to use cosmetics dedicated to combination skin. Most of them are designed to normalize sebum production, thus reducing the amount of sebum formed in the T zone and preventing it from drying out on the temples and cheeks. The cream should have a light formula and moisturizing effect. It is best if it contains components such as: aloe, algae, tea tree oil, fruit acids (AHA), panthenol, green tea, plant extracts e.g. (from rosemary, chamomile, oats, grape seeds), vitamins and minerals . In some cases, when the differences between individual facial zones are large, it may be necessary to use two types of cosmetics, i.e. normalizing and mattifying cosmetics in the T zone and intensively moisturizing and preventing water loss in other parts of the face.
Normal skin
Normal skin is the most desirable, because it is also the least problematic and demanding skin type. Unfortunately, it is not a very common occurrence. Normal skin is well moisturized, smooth and taut; the amount of sebum produced is optimal. The skin does not flake or dry out, and blackheads and inflammation are rare.
Of course, good skin condition does not mean that we can completely abandon skin care. However, the list of recommendations is the shortest in this case. In the case of this type of skin, it is worth choosing a delicately moisturizing day cream that protects against UV rays and a regenerative night cream. In winter, it is worth investing in a slightly thicker semi-fat cream that will protect the skin against harmful external factors such as wind or frost.